In neuroscience, the glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) is known to be involved in regulating gene transcription, but how that happens has been a mystery. Recently, researchers at Kings College (London, UK) discovered how antidepressants directly regulate GCR in neurogenesis of brain stem cells. Specifically, they found that “drug-related activation of the glucocorticoid receptor prompted the switching on of genes that converted progenitor cells into adult brain cells. Conversely, treating the cells with stress hormones had exactly the opposite effect.”  In the long run this may lead to drug discovery, but before then it opens a new window on “patient discovery” in the understanding of psychological disorders.   MORE